Flight Test Pilot Jobs

Aviation Career Program Position

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA AcqDemo Business & Technical Management Professional Career Path (NH) to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

This position is located at the U.S. Army Redstone Test Center (RTC), with a duty location of Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. Accepting applications Open 11/09/2026 to 12/01/2026 Location 5 vacancies in the following location: Redstone Arsenal, AL Work site options Telework eligible YesSituational as determined by the agency policy. Remote job No Relocation expenses reimbursed No Salary $130,987 - $197,200 per year Pay scale & grade NH 4 Promotion potential None Learn more about pay scale and grade Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job. Work schedule Full-time Travel Required 75% or less - You may be expected to travel 30-70% for this position. Occupations and job series 2181 Aircraft Operation Supervisory status No Federal service type This job is in the Competitive Service Represented by a union No Drug test Yes Security clearance Secret Position sensitivity and risk Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job. Background check type National security Financial disclosure required No Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests. Announcement number SDSE-27-13104651-DHA Control number 891719200 This job is open to Help The public U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Duties Conduct flight test evaluations for aircraft and aviation system acquisition programs. Create test plans and or formal reports, rendering judgments regarding the value of the tested aircraft or system. Research, development, test, and evaluation duties for a multitude of aircraft and aviation systems acquisition programs. Determine maximum limits for safe operation and aerodynamic stability. Make influential recommendations relative to the intended military mission. Responsible for all project planning, execution, and reporting functions.

Requirements Conditions of employment Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation. This is an Army Acquisition, Logistics and Technology Workforce position. Selectee must meet position requirements for Test and Evaluation certification Level II within 60 months as of entrance on duty. This position requires the incumbent be able to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Secret security clearance or access for the duration of employment. A background investigation and credit check are required. This position is subject to a pre-employment screening, and random testing thereafter, to include testing based on reasonable suspicion and testing due to direct involvement with an on-duty accident. This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination and an annual examination thereafter to ensure the continued, required level of physical health and ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position.

Qualifications Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience. Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the NH-03 or GS 13 grade level in the Federal service that includes: 1) Conduct aircraft systems tests that include factors such as; sophisticated weapons systems, electro-optical sensors, and/or threat countermeasure suites; and/or; 2) Gather information during flight tests such as; quantitative and qualitative data from which the performance and stability characteristics of the aircraft may be defined; and/or 3) Serve as a Rotary or Fixed Wing Flight Test Pilot for aviation system acquisition programs. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (NH-03 or GS-13). Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted. In addition to meeting the qualification requirement (above), to qualify for this position you must also meet the individual occupational requirements listed below: Flight Certificate: Candidates must possess the appropriate Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certificate with commercial or higher privileges in the appropriate aircraft category (e.g., Airplane Multi Engine Land, Rotorcraft Helicopter, Instrument Ratings) and/or an equivalent U.S. military pilot rating. NOTE: Candidates establishing eligibility based on military flight experience must provide official orders, forms, or logbooks showing their status as a rated military pilot, flight instructor, or flight examiner, as appropriate. Other certificates that meet or exceed the requirements of the Commercial Pilot Certificate are also acceptable, e.g., an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate. *You must submit supporting documentation for this requirement. Medical Certificate: Candidates must possess a current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Medical Certificate, Second Class or higher, or an equivalent active military flight physical (e.g., U.S. Army Class 2 / USAF Class II) without restrictive waivers that would preclude the performance of the duties. Note: A copy of the certificate or appropriate military medical clearance document must be provided at the time of application. Military Experimental Test Pilot School Graduate: Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited military experimental test pilot school. Acceptable test pilot schools include U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS), U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School (USAFTPS), Empire Test Pilot School (ETPS), and Ecole du Personnel Navigant d' Essais et de Reception (EPNER). Attendance to one or more "short courses" at these schools and/or on the job training does not meet this eligibility requirement. Note: A copy of the graduation certificate must be provided at the time of application. Flight Experience: Candidates must meet certain minimum flight hour requirements, including recent flight experience due to the hazardous nature of our operations. Minimum (IOR) individual occupational requirements are: 1) Total flight time 1750 hours; and 2) Pilot in command time 1150 hours; and 3) Night flying time 75 hours; and 4) Heavy multi-engine airplane/heavy helicopter time 500 hours (heavy is defined as gross takeoff weight in excess of 12,500 pounds); and 5) 100 hours of flying time in the last 12 months (Can be achieved in either fixed wing or rotary wing). Note: Documentation of all claimed flight hours, such as official military or civilian flight logs, must be provided at the time of application. OPM qualification standard: Aircraft Operation Series 2181 (opm.gov). Education This job does not have an education qualification requirement.